December 17, 2012 by Amy Gold
During the week of December 9, 2012, the world mourned the passing of renowned sitarist Ravi Shankar, former A&M president Gil Friesen, and famed session drummer Willie Ackerman.
Also this week, the "12-12-12" benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy took place on December 12 at New York City's Madison Square Garden. This historic event, which was seen by over 19 million viewers, featured performances by Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and many other top bands and artists.
Also, Jimmy Buffett will be performing in Florida in 2013, a new documentary about the Rolling Stones will soon be released, Fleetwood Mac will be re-releasing their "Rumours" album, and Carole King will be honored by the Library of Congress with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. And congratulations go to Bruce Springsteen for receiving top honors from Rolling Stone Magazine for his 2012 album, "Wrecking Ball."
December 9, 2012: The Rolling Stones Kick Off U.S. Mini-Tour In Brooklyn
On December 8, the Rolling Stones kicked off their mini-tour of the U.S. at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. They opened with "Get Off Of My Cloud" and they performed a total of 23 songs that also included two new songs, ‘"Doom and Gloom" and "One More Shot." Guest vocalists included Mary J. Blige who joined the band in ‘"Gimme Shelter."
Source: Rolling Stones rock Brooklyn at anniversary gig - A&E - Boston.com
December 10, 2012: Rolling Stones' Documentary To Be Released
"Crossfire Hurricane," a documentary about the Rolling Stones from the 1960s through the early 1970s, is slated to be released this January on DVD/Blu-Ray. Directed by Brett Morgen, this new documentary chronicles the ascent of the Rolling Stones from their early days to their legendary status.
Source: Rolling Stones' Crossfire Hurricane Doc Coming To DVD/Blu-Ray
December 11, 2012: 2013 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced
Donna Summer, Heart, Albert King, Lou Adler, Quincy Jones, Rush, Randy Newman, and Public Enemy are among the list of inductees for the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They will be officially inducted on April 18, 2013 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
Source: Rush, Randy Newman, Donna Summer among 2013 Rock Hall inductees - latimes.com
December 11, 2012: Jimmy Buffett To Perform In Florida In 2013
Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band announced two Florida shows for 2013. One will be in Pensacola on February 5, and the other will take place in Jacksonville two days later. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster, and fans may enter a contest to win two tickets to the show of their choice from Buffett's website at margaritaville.com.
Source: Jimmy Buffett Lands Pair Of Florida Gigs
December 12, 2012: Renowned Sitarist Ravi Shankar Passes Away
On December 11, 2012, renowned sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar died at age 92 in San Diego, CA. He is famous for popularizing classical Indian sitar music in the West and for his collaborations with George Harrison, Phillips Glass, and other classical and pop musicians. He was an influential figure in much of the pop music of the 1960s, and he performed at Woodstock, the Monterey International Pop Festival, and the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. Shankar composed film music, concertos for sitar and orchestra, ballets, and electronic music. He has also won numerous awards over the years, and was told just prior to his passing that he would be receiving a lifetime achievement Grammy. He is survived by two daughters, the virtuoso sitarist Anoushka Shankar and singer Norah Jones.
Source: Ravi Shankar, Who Brought Sitar Music to the West, Dies - NYTimes.com
December 12, 2012: '12-12-12' Concert Featured Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, And Other Top Performers
"121212: The Concert for Sandy Relief" took place on December 12, 2012 at New York's Madison Square Garden. This historic event was broadcast on TV and on the internet on numerous channels and websites. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off this concert with "Land of Hope of Dreams." Other performers included Roger Waters, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, and the Who.
Source: 121212: Bruce Springsteen kicks off Concert for Sandy Relief - latimes.com
December 12, 2012: Fleetwood Mac To Re-release 'Rumours' Album
Fleetwood Mac will be releasing expanded and deluxe versions of their classic 1977 album, "Rumours." These new versions will come out on Rhino in late January. The band has also scheduled a tour for 2013 which will begin on April 4 in Columbus, OH.
Source: Fleetwood Mac Expanding 'Rumours' for 35th Anniversary | Music News | Rolling Stone
December 13, 2012: Carole King To Receive Gershwin Prize From Library of Congress
Famed singer-songwriter Carole King will be awarded the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song was established in 2007 by the Library of Congress, and King is the first woman to receive this award.
Source: Carole King to Receive Gershwin Prize From Library of Congress | Music News | Rolling Stone
December 12, 2012: Bruce Springsteen Receives Top Album Of 2012 Honor From Rolling Stone
Bruce Springsteen's album, "Wrecking Ball," was named as Rolling Stone Magazine's Best Album of 2012. "Wrecking Ball" was released in March, 2012, and is Springsteen's 17th studio album. It has topped the charts in many countries and has been nominated for three Grammys.
Source: Bruce Springsteen Nabs Rolling Stone's Top Album Of 2012 Honor
December 13, 2012: Mick Jagger Delivers Top Ten List On Letterman
On the December 11, 2012 Dave Letterman show, Mick Jagger recited a funny list of the 10 Things I, Mick Jagger, Have Learned After 50 Years In Rock N' Roll.
Jagger's list of quips included You start out playing rock n' roll so you can have sex and do drugs, but you end up doing drugs so that you can still play rock n' roll and have sex.
Source: Mick Jagger Delivers Top Ten List On Letterman
December 14, 2012: Former A&M President Gil Friesen Passes Away
Former A&M president Gil Friesen died at age 75 on December 13, 2012 at his home in Brentwood, CA after a long battle with leukemia. While at A&M, he executive produced such cult classics as "The Breakfast Club" and "The Mighty Quinn" and was responsible for putting together a roster of top bands and artists that included Cat Stevens, Joe Cocker, Bryan Adams, Sting, and Janet Jackson. He also co-founded the Classic Sports Cable Network which was sold to ESPN in 1997.
Source: Former A&M president Gil Friesen dies at 75
December 15, 2012: Nashville Drummer Willie Ackerman Passes Away
Famed session drummer William Paul ("Willie") Ackerman died on December 13, 2012 at age 73 in Nashville, TN. Ackerman worked with many top country bands and artists that included Tom T. Hall, Flatt & Scruggs, Roger Miller, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Loretta Lynn, Jim Reeves, and Don Gibson, and he can be heard on such country classics as Marty Robbins' "El Paso" and Jerry Reed's "Amos Moses." Ackerman was also a member of the Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw staff bands.
Source: Drummer Willie Ackerman Dead at 73
December 15, 2012: '12-12-12' Concert Seen By Over 19 Million
According to Nielsen, some 19.3 million TV viewers watched at least part of the "12-12-12" concert which aired live on December 12 from 7:30PM ET until around midnight. These figures do not include viewers from smaller TV channels not rated by Nielsen nor do they include the millions of viewers who accessed this concert online. The event, which took place at New York City's Madison Square Garden and featured performances by many top bands and artists, was the most widely distributed live musical event in history.
Source: '12-12-12' Concert Watched by 19 Million-Plus Americans
